My thanks to Guest, LyaCatWoman, knitzkampf, jeanmarie3, MultiFandomGirl1424, 2Old4This2, StatsGrandma57, Freshman11, and snkfan for your comments on the last chapter and to serenitysnetsinger for sharing headache coping tips. I really appreciate it.
My sincere appreciation to my very patient and thorough beta-reader, 2Old4This2, for supporting me during my lengthy writer's block. Any remaining errors are mine.
As always, I own none of this. Except for the very AU parts. :)
Leia smiled wistfully at the viewscreen as the pink, cometary cloud surrounding Ord Mantell came into view. From a distance, the primitive planet reminded her of Alderaan. But Leia knew that the two worlds couldn't be more different, even before her homeworld had been blown to bits. Filled with snow-capped mountains, lush green hills, beautiful gardens, and crystal lakes, Alderaan had been such a peaceful planet. Ord Mantell, with its mountainous topography, bore a slight resemblance to Alderaan in an ecological sense. But the planet, as a whole, was known for infighting and had a seedy reputation. Space junk and other detritus littered a good deal of the planet's surface. Outsiders were largely discouraged except along the southern shores of Worlport, where numerous casinos - and thousands of tourists - dotted the coastline.
Unfortunately, they were meeting their contact at a spaceport near the equator. Three humans traveling with a Wookiee would clearly stand out in this rural environment. Which was why, at their morning meeting, Mon Mothma had suggested that Luke stay behind on the Millennium Falcon with Chewbacca while Leia and Han met with the Rebel sympathizer who would lead them to her father's ship.
All three humans had protested.
Luke wanted in on the action, but accepted the plan when Rieekan pointed out that he was needed to help pilot the Falcon home. No one mentioned that Luke would stand out like a sore thumb among the rough crowd known to inhabit Ord Mantell's spaceports.
Han had reservations about Luke co-piloting his ship with Chewie, but had relented when Rieekan reminded him that someone had to pilot the Alderaani freighter back to Hoth. And when Han had voiced his concern as to whether the Princess should be traipsing around a male-dominated spaceport, Mon Mothma assured him that Leia Organa could hold her own, provided she was outfitted with the appropriate attire.
Only Leia fumed at the idea that she would be paraded around as Captain Solo's property. Correct that, she reminded herself. Hanford Solomon's property. Just how many aliases does the space pirate have?
The man in question leaned back in the pilot's chair and turned around to meet her gaze, eyes twinkling. "You better get changed, your highnessness. We're about to land."
Leia rolled her eyes and waltzed out of the cockpit. Han, of course, doesn't have to alter his looks at all, Leia mused. He already dresses the part of a seedy spacer. Frowning, she pulled out the small duffel from a storage compartment in the lounge near the Dejarik table. But I'm forced to wear this ... this ... hideous attire.
Gartal! she swore inwardly. These clothes aren't even fit to be worn in private! As she slipped the garish costume on and applied her make-up, Leia wondered why she and Mon Mothma had agreed to such a primitive, sexist outfit for the only female on the mission. The skirt, almost non-existent, fit so snugly that she could barely walk.
Because, Ord Mantell is a primitive, backwater planet, she reminded herself, as she forced her feet into sky-high heels that cut into her toes. The upper bodice of her dress, with its low-cut, tight corset, wasn't comfortable either. But at least it gives me a place to store this, Leia grinned, as she tucked the tiny blaster into her cleavage. Surely, no one will think to look there. She pinned up the sides of her hair with sharp combs that - with the flick of a button - could double as knives, leaving her dark locks down in the back. Frowning, she pondered her reflection. At least, I hope no one looks there. My father warned me about dressing like this. I look like a harlot on spice.
As Leia returned to her seat and strapped in, the three males aboard the ship stared at her, wide-eyed and slack-jawed. But only Han had the nerve to grin. "Can't wait to parade you around in that get-up, your lusciousness."
"Just so we are clear, Captain Solo, I despise this plan with every fiber of my being." Leia glared at Han beneath her thick, jewel-toned makeup.
His saucy grin annoyed her. "Why, Princess, you're playing your role as my woman perfectly!"
Leia stamped one heel, causing the small bells along the top strap to ring out. "You're incorrigible." In a lower voice, she grumbled, "You know this is beneath my dignity, you nerfherder."
"Even a nerfherder's got eyes." He winked at her before starting their descent, speaking into the ship's main communicator. "This is Hanford Solomon, captain of a YT-1300 freighter. Requesting permission to land."
"Captain Solomon. State your business." An unfriendly voice, just short of hostile, replied.
Leia watched Han rub the stubble on his chin as he thought, forcing the words to come out with a faked casualness. "Ah ... It's my honeymoon. Heading down to Worlport with the little woman-" Leia snorted indignantly. "But my ship needs a few repairs first. Just lookin' to touch down overnight." Han glanced at Chewie and shrugged, as if to ask, anything else I should add? The big Wookiee remained silent, and Leia felt relieved. If Chewie had encouraged Han to elaborate on what sorts of activities the honeymoon might entail ...
Leia found herself flushing. Gods, just how warm is this fabric anyway?
Luke cleared his throat. "I think I should go with you, Han." Wordlessly, Han sliced a finger across his neck and waved a hand at Luke to shut him up.
"Captain Solomon, you are cleared for landing. Ring 7, Docking Bay 32. Have your credit chits ready as you disembark." The terse voice over the loudspeaker severed the connection.
"Not too friendly, are they?" Han maneuvered the ship on a bumpy ride through the thick pink clouds that surrounded the planet. The landing was rougher than most, and the occupants of the ship were quiet until they had entered the spaceport and docked at bay 32.
As soon as everyone had left the cockpit to stretch in the lounge, Han turned to Luke. "Kid, what were you trying to do up there? Never jump in the middle of a conversation with spaceport control, especially when I'm lying through my teeth." He shook his head as he stretched out the kinks in his back.
"Sorry, Han. I just thought that since you said -"
"I can handle it, Junior. 'Sides, you'd stick out like a nerfherder in a sea of Bucket Heads. Better they have no idea that you're here."
Leia reached out to touch Luke on the arm. "He's saying that you're too good for this place. Han, on the other hand, will fit right in." She gave the older man a wicked smile.
The spacer frowned at her. "That's not what I'm sayin', your Worshipfulness. This planet is full of kriffing bounty hunters and Black Sun. This kid -" He thrust a finger at Luke. "-is one of the most recognizable faces in the galaxy. He's at the top of the Imperial's most wanted list, right next to you. If you weren't critical to the success of this mission, I'd leave you aboard too." He glared at Leia.
She gave him a disarming smile. "See, you really do care about someone besides yourself."
Han didn't reply. Instead, he gave her a crooked smile and held out his hand. "Come on, little woman. It's time to start our honeymoon."
